National Project Implementation Plan - NVBDCP

Chapter 1
Situational analysis
Introduction
The Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are a cluster of infectious diseases
transmitted by mosquitoes and other vectors. India’s population suffers
from a significant disease burden from these diseases, in the form of
morbidity and mortality from malaria, kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis),
lymphatic Filariasis (LF), Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Chikungunya and
Dengue. There are considerable variations in epidemiology of these vector
borne diseases on account of ecology, vector bionomics, economic, sociocultural
and behavioral factors. The high risk areas for VBD are generally
rural, tribal and urban slums inhabited by the poor, marginalized and
vulnerable groups with limited access to quality health care, communication
and other basic amenities.
The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is an
umbrella programme for prevention & control of vector borne diseases and
an integral part of the India’s National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). The
National Health Policy (NHP) of 2002 has set goals for achieving reduction
of mortality due to malaria, dengue and JE by 50% by the year 2010 along
with efficient morbidity control; eliminating Kala-azar by the year 2010; and
elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis by 2015.
The NVBDCP envisages a well informed and self-sustained, healthy India
free from vector borne diseases with equitable access to quality health care
and the Programme activities are in tandem with the NHP and NRHM goals
as well as the Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the
incidence of malaria and other vector borne diseases by the year 2015
towards reduction of poverty.
The proposed World Bank supported project for malaria control and kalaazar
elimination will be implemented within the overall policy and program
framework of the NVBDCP. However, the project will focus on supporting
efforts to prevent and control malaria and eliminate kala-azar from the
most endemic districts. This approach makes World Bank support more
strategic and better targeted as malaria contributes to highest morbidity
and mortality rates among the VBDs while kala-azar is known to affect the
poorest of the poor residing in inadequate and unhygienic housing
conditions.
1.1 Burden and distribution of Malaria and Kala-azar in India
1.1 a. Malaria Situation
Among the VBDs, malaria continues to pose a major public health threat.
Malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) is particularly prone for
complications including death, if not treated early. During the past few
1